Bone Index Ltd. Announces Medicare Reimbursement Coverage for Bindex Osteoporosis Measurement
Bone Index Ltd., a medical device company with a game changer point-of-care technology (Bindex®) in osteoporosis diagnostics, announces that U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved coverage for Bindex® measurement in the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) setting, when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list*. In addition, the coverage includes the outpatient hospital settings*.
“This significant reimbursement coverage is a remarkable milestone for Bindex measurement. In addition, this is a great example how CMS wants to improve the healthcare in US. Bindex is a new and unique medical device which provides significant improvement in osteoporosis screening and diagnostics in US. Now large number of healthcare operators are able to provide highly needed osteoporosis examinations. However, we continue our hard work to broaden the coverage landscape to physician offices” says Bone Index's CEO, Dr. Ossi Riekkinen.
Bindex® point-of-care device measures the cortical bone thickness of the tibia and the algorithm calculates the Density Index, a parameter which estimates bone mineral density at the hip as measured with DXA. Bindex detects osteoporosis with 90% sensitivity and specificity and will significantly help physicians with diagnosis.
Undiagnosed osteoporosis is a worldwide challenge. In the US alone osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones every year, costing over 19 billion dollars. Experts forecast that by 2025, the costs will rise to 25.3 billion dollars. One of the biggest challenges is the limited availability of osteoporosis diagnostics since bone density scans are mostly performed in hospitals with large DXA X-ray machines that entail high costs. "The overall aim is to prevent osteoporotic fractures, improve surgical outcomes and improve the quality of life for families in the US," says Dr. Riekkinen.
For more information:
Bone Index Ltd., Dr. Ossi Riekkinen, CEO, Dallas, TX
ossi.riekkinen@boneindex.fi , M: 469.805.5419 , www.bindex.fi/en/
*https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ASCPayment/11_Addenda_Updates.html
HCPCS Code, 0508T: Pulse-echo ultrasound bone density measurement resulting in indicator of axial bone mineral density, tibia.
About Bone Index:
Founded in 2011 in Kuopio, Bone Index Finland Ltd. specializes in the development of measuring devices for osteoporosis screening and diagnostics.
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